In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Mark 11:20

Mark 11:12-14 and 20-21 narrates the familiar incident where Jesus stops by a fig tree, hoping to find fruit to snack on. However, He is not just disappointed but angered to find the tree fruitless, though it bears the appearance of a healthy plant. Jesus curses the tree and the next time when He passes along the same way, His disciples notice the tree withered from the roots.

This passage brings to my mind the picture of God as a gardener and every believer as a tree under His care. Just as any faithful gardener, God takes immense interest in His garden. He waters, prunes, manures, weeds and does everything possible to nurture His precious trees. After all this hard labor, God our gardener expects each of His trees to bear fruit. God is certainly not interested in huge, leafy trunks, devoid of fruit.

John 15: 2 says, He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Jesus cursed the fig tree so the disciples clearly perceived His total distaste for fruitless trees. This truth applies to the trees in God’s garden too. Despite taking in daily nourishment from the Word of God, prayer and fellowship, if we continue to remain fruitless, we can expect a fate similar to that of the withered fig tree.

If you believe that you are a tree planted by Christ in God’s garden, think of how you have fared. Have you transformed into a fruit bearing tree God delights in? If not take time to analyze your spiritual health and plead with our ever loving gardener to make you a flourishing tree that bears much fruit. Jesus is coming soon and when He does, He expects us to be fruitful trees, ready for the harvest. Make sure you bear the fruit He desires before it gets too late!

Dear Father,
Forgive me for staying fruitless despite your nourishing care. Make me a fruitful tree you can delight in. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen